For parks in Quebec City, you can pair the small urban green spaces of Old Québec with the larger grounds and trails of Battlefields Park. Governors' Garden and Parc Montmorency sit in the historic district, while the Plains of Abraham offer a free, year-round place to walk, run or cycle.
- Old Québec: Governors' Garden and Parc Montmorency are in or beside the historic district.
- Parc Montmorency: An urban park with monuments and a long connection to Québec’s political history.
- Plains of Abraham: Free access year-round, with walking and cycling routes.
- Museum hours: The Plains of Abraham Museum is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on certain holidays.
Governors' Garden beside the historic district
Governors' Garden is a small green-space stop beside Québec City’s historic district. It is about a one-minute walk from Manoir Sainte near Governors' Garden, so you can include it while walking around Old Québec.
Parc Montmorency and its setting
Parc Montmorency combines an urban park setting with sites tied to Québec’s early farming and political history. It occupies part of the land once cultivated by Louis Hébert, his wife Marie Rollet and their three children, who established a farm there in 1617.
The park is part of the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site and was designated a historic site of Canada in 1949. It also contains monuments to Hébert and Sir George-Étienne Cartier, along with a plaque commemorating Québec’s first parliament building.
Québec City hosted the parliament of United Canada from 1852 to 1855 and again from 1860 to 1865. The former parliament building on the park site was destroyed by fire in 1883.
These layers of history make Parc Montmorency a natural pause during a walk through Old Québec, while the Citadel of Quebec offers another perspective on the city’s fortress history.
What can you do on the Plains of Abraham?
The Plains of Abraham are part of Battlefields Park, a 103-hectare area that also includes Des Braves Park and has more than 30 points of interest. The site was the setting for major battles in 1759 and 1760; today, you can use its routes for walking, running, cycling and cross-country skiing.
The Plains of Abraham Trail is a 1 km route for pedestrians and cyclists near Gilmour Hill, connecting the Samuel-de-Champlain Promenade and Old Québec.
It is groomed in winter and lit year-round, with resting areas, interpretive panels and views of the St. Lawrence River. The Nature Trail runs 1.8 km along the southern cliff between the Cap Blanc Staircase and Gilmour Hill, also overlooking the river.
A separate 1.4 km multipurpose track is free for recreational use. Organized activities, skateboards, roller skis and small motorized vehicles are prohibited on it. The park’s natural terrain is uneven, so the National Battlefields Commission advises you to exercise due care and inspect the area before activities.
Dogs are permitted on the Plains if kept on a leash no longer than 3 metres; owners must pick up and dispose of waste. Camping, outdoor cooking devices such as barbecues, drones, mountain biking, motocross and bicycle racing are prohibited, except for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec.
How should you plan around hours and seasons?
The Plains of Abraham are free to access year-round, and the park offers routes for different activities across the seasons. The Plains of Abraham Museum serves as the park’s reception and information centre, with brochures, maps, washrooms, a drinking fountain, a boutique and parking.
The museum is at 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, Québec City, QC G1R 2L3, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on certain holidays. Check the National Battlefields Commission’s official site before you go, since holiday hours may differ.
Where do these parks fit into a walk around Old Québec?
Parc Montmorency works naturally into a walk through Old Québec, while the Plains of Abraham Trail provides a connection between Old Québec and the Samuel-de-Champlain Promenade. For a broader route through the historic district, the guide to exploring Old Québec on foot offers context for planning the walk.
FAQs
Is entry to the Plains of Abraham free?
Yes. The Plains of Abraham are free to access year-round.
Can you cycle on the Plains of Abraham?
Cycling is among the activities available in the park, and the Plains of Abraham Trail is a multifunctional route for pedestrians and cyclists. The separate multipurpose track prohibits organized activities, skateboards, roller skis and small motorized vehicles.
Is Parc Montmorency part of Old Québec?
Yes. It is an urban park in Old Québec and forms part of the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site.
What facilities are available at the Plains of Abraham Museum?
The museum serves as the park’s reception and information centre, with brochures, park maps, washrooms, a drinking fountain, a boutique and parking.